...free football. Seattlemade the playoffs last season, but flamed out in the first round against the Rams. Then, this year, they had an edge with home field, but played two playoff games against teams with several flaws in washington (little offense) and Carolina (too many injuries, down to their third string back). Also, Seattle doesnt have a lot of big-game experience away from home.

Looking back on this season, Seattle barely won on the road at St. Louis and Tennessee. And the Seahawks lost 23-17 at green Bay (their last road game), 20-17 at washington and 26-14 at Jacksonville to open the season. Also note that Seattles defense allowed 21 ppg on the road where they are 7-1 'Over' the total. Pittsburgh has opened up the offense more in the second half of the season and carries a 5-2-1 run 'Over' the total into the Super Bowl. The Steelers also have more experience playing indoors: since Thanksgiving, theyve played three games indoors, one at Minnesota and two at indianapolis, going 2-1 SU/ATS.

Finally, games are often won and lost via turnovers and in the trenches. I cant predict turnovers, but I can point out that in the trenches, both teams were outstanding at stopping the run this season, and each ranked in the Top 5 in the NFL. On paper, its a wash in the trenches, which possibly means turnovers will be the la difference, as the French say! Super Bowl 40 should be a fun one to dissect over the next two weeks and watch. Good luck as always...Al McMordie.more

Enlightenment, or World Cup Football?

... to choose! Relief...

This year, the World Cup finals are the exact same week that I had decided to be in service as an Avatar Master for 1 of our international courses in Florida.

Oh my God. I considered not going to the course. So, naturally, 1 of my sisters who has never, ever been interested in self-help, now decides to show an interest in her spiritual awakening!

Enlightenment? Not now honey, I have men to watch on TV! Whats the karma for that?

Okay, so I will show up.

I put my Avatar tools to good use to creatively ex...more

The Continuing Demise of Aston Villa Fc - Defeat at Doncaster

...And indeed, the league position suggests that they think that even that will be handed to them on a plate. Quite simply it is not good enough. These players are earning - a very loose definition of the word - thousands of pounds per week, and much of that comes out of the ordinary supporters pockets.

I know for a fact that Aston Villa have some of the most fiercely loyal supporters in the land, which perhaps explains why they continue to spend money on substandard products rather than shop elsewhere. However you cannot help thinking that in years to come, unless things change radically, this will not be the case. In todays society where more and more people are moving away from their towns of birth for employment and social reasons, clubs cannot rely on regional association to maintain their fan base and success, however infrequent, is the only thing which will keep the fans returning.

Aston Villa has always been considered the bigger of the two Birmingham clubs and indeed Birmingham is the second largest city in England. To not have a football team in the top half of the table challenging for honours is unacceptable, or at the very least, surreal.

I have been reading recently that Doug Ellis has finally decided to relinquish control of the club. Doug has done very well for Aston Villa over the years (I am not one of those who blames him for our demise) and has managed to keep the business in a very strong position financially when so ma...more

The Need For Speed In Soccer

...Soccer players are athletes, but unlike a 100m runner where there is explosive speed for 10 seconds in a straight line, there are many other abilities that soccer players need to develop.

Here are 5 key soccer related speed abilities that you should develop in your players.

#1 - Speed of thought

Soccer players have a great deal to concentrate on. There senses are constantly being blitzed with information, which they need to quickly decipher. Here are some examples:

- Where opponents are positioned

- Actions of their team mates

- What's infront of them and their peripheral vision

- The conditions of the pitch and the weather

- The noise from team mates, crowd, coaches and opponents

- Their tactical position and the strategy of the team

#2 - Speed of anticipation

Some players have a great reading of the game. I have a friend who although he is now in his late 40's early 50's still plays regularly and competes well with players half his age!

How does he do this... because he's played soccer all his life at professional and international level he has built a huge database in his brain of playing situations, player characteristics, tactical situations etc. and he is able to draw on this which gives him superb speed of anticipation.

Sure for explosiveness and reaction times the younger players would win every time, but as the old saying goes..."the first couple of yards are in the head!".

So here it is impor...more

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